July 4: This Night is On Fire
Independence Day fireworks and fun around the North
After last year’s nearly null displays of municipal Fourth of July fireworks shows — by the way, shout out to the thousands of never-say-die DIYers who lit their backyards on fire to entertain the rest of us — local town and festivals are back with big plans this Independence Day.
If you’d rather not run from your neighbor’s 22-shot Howler Monkey aerial misfire again, here are a heap of firework shows worth seeing, no homeowners policy required:
Boyne City
Hot on the heels of downtown Boyne City’s July 2 Stroll the Streets (ten bands, face painting, balloon twisting, magician, and more) and July 3 morning farmers market and afternoon arts and crafts fair (both at Veteran’s Memorial Park), Sunday, July 4, brings back the arts and crafts fair and adds on a bunch more, including the Kids Bike and Costume Parade, the Grand Parade, pre-parade family fun and entertainment, the Boyne City Rotary Club's "World Famous Chicken BBQ,” a pie-eating contest, and a concert from the 126th Army Band. All that and more happens before the magic hour, 10:30 pm, when the Grand Fireworks begin over Lake Charlevoix. (Let’s just say there are a lot of good reasons why Good Morning America and USA Today named Boyne City's Fourth of July Festival one of the "Top 10 Independence Day Celebrations in the Nation.” Find the full itinerary and more details under the events at www.boynechamber.com.
Frankfort
Frankfort's Annual July 4 celebration won’t feature a parade this year, but not for the reason you’d think; good old fashioned road construction got in the way! Sigh. How quaint. Nevertheless, the city gets a jump on the Fourth of July with a 9am July 1 posting of the first clue in its annual Medallion Hunt and the 5pm opening of its annual old-fashioned carnival (games, rides, food) at Open Space Park on Betsie Bay. The carnival and other events ride on into July 4 with Art in the Park, a sand sculpture contest, and the night’s big bang: fireworks, starting at dusk. Details at cca.frankfort-elberta.com.
Beulah
For a town with fewer than 350 permanent residents, Beulah goes pretty big with a Fourth full of classic activities — a Firecracker 5K and fun run in the morning, fireworks over Crystal Lake in the evening, and in between, kids games and music in the park, a coin hunt on Beulah Beach, a parade, and even a rubber duck race. Details at clcba.org.
Harbor Springs
By unanimous approval, the Harbor Springs City Council decided to bring back its long-time local Fourth of July Parade tradition, a parade down Main Street. A run, art fair at Zorn Park, and other activities are on the day’s agenda; fireworks launched from the harbor are the plans for the night. www.harborspringschamber.com
Bay View
OK, it’s not started by a spark, but the July 4 vespers concert “Red, White and Blues,” set to play the John Hall Auditorium in Bay View at 8pm, is being billed as an “explosive evening of music, nostalgia, and fun for the whole family” just the same. Fewer pyrotechnics than your usual Fourth of July show, but at least no one’s in danger of losing an eye here. Details at www.bayviewfestival.org.
Traverse City
One of the longest and biggest fireworks displays in northern Michigan, the overhead show that lights up the July 4 night of every National Cherry Festival has returned, thanks in large part to the Traverse City Boom Boom Club, formed in 2011 to ensure this annual tradition goes on Infinitum. The show was canceled last year due to COVID-19 concerns, but organizers expect a spectacular display this year. The fireworks will be launched from a barge about 1,000 feet from Traverse City’s Open Space shore. The show is slated to begin at 10:30 p.m. on July 4 and will last nearly 30 minutes. A limited number of VIP viewing tickets, which includes food, soft drinks, entertainment, and access to a cash bar, are on sale now at www.tcboomboom.org; some might remain for sale at the gate. However, the launch location is designed to offer excellent free viewing along miles West Grand Traverse Bay shoreline.
Cadillac
Not only will fireworks be bursting in the air over Lake Cadillac after dusk July 4, an even more awe-inspiring celebration of American freedom takes place at 9pm July 5: The Fire On Water Military Tribute. Three bonfires — representing past military, current military, and future peace — are set ablaze along the shoreline as members of the Cadillac Area Honor Guard present readings, play Taps on a bugle, and inspire a due moment of gratitude from all of us. Details at cadillacfreedomfestival.com.
Saturday Night Rebels
Some cities are blowing up early, planning their fireworks for a Saturday night showing. Whether you love fireworks enough to take in two shows in a row or just have to work Monday morning, you’re no less an American for celebrating the nation’s independence a day in advance. You can catch July 3 fireworks at dusk over Otsego Lake in Gaylord, in downtown St. Ignace, and at the village of Bay Harbor.